EMILY’s List Australia respects and supports the voices of all women and considers the Lost Petition to be an important artwork and a voice for those who can no longer represent themselves.

We’re disappointed that some reports are suggesting that EMILY’s List Australia has a role in what is displayed at HerPlace museum. We do not. The museum held an event at which the Lost Petition was hung, with our upcoming HerStory exhibition as the backdrop.

Some comments made by an EMILY’s List volunteer, rightly pointing out that onsite counsellors are often needed when displaying such an important yet challenging artwork, have been reported out of context and inaccurately.

We understand it was always intended by the museum to hang the artwork for their one event – further detail than that, we’ll respectfully leave to the museum sisters to comment on.

Although the purpose of EMILY’s List Australia is to support the election of progressive Labor women, we also actively participate in conversations relating to our core values and finding solutions to the devastating impacts of family violence.

We strongly support museums and galleries across Australia finding opportunities to hang The Lost Petition so all Australians can see it and participate in this important conversation.